MOHINIYATTAM DANCE Mohiniyattam is one of the classical dance forms of Kerala. It was mainly performed in the Temples of Kerala.

It is also the heir to devadasi dance heritage like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi. There is a story of Lord Vishnu taking on the guise of a mohini to enthrall people, both in connection with the churning of the milk ocean and with the episode of killing Bhasmasura Mohiniattam is based on the themes of love and devotion and more often the hero is Vishnu or Krishna. The audience can feel His invisible presence when the heroine or her maid details dreams and ambitions through the circular movements, delicate footsteps and subtle expressions. The movements are graceful like Odissi and the costumes sober and attractive. The repertoire of Mohiniattam follows closely that of Bharatanatyam. Beginning with Chollukettu, the dancer performs Jathiswaram, Varnam, Padam and Thillana in a concert. Mohiniyattam like many other forms follows theHasthalakshana Deepika as a text book of hand gestures. The style of vocal music for Mohiniattam is classical Karnatic. MUSIC FOR MOHINIYATTAM
The vocal music of Mohiniyattam involves variations in rhythmic structure known as chollu. The lyrics are in Manipravalam, a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam. The Mohiniyattam dance is performed to this accompaniment by the subtle gestures and footwork of the danseuse. The performer uses the eyes in a very coy yet sensual manner, the purpose being to enchant the mind without enticing the senses. THE MOHINIYATTAM JEWELRY AND COSTUME

The costume in Mohiniyattam dance comprises of a white kasavu saree, a decorated blouse and a waist garment. The edges are embellished with golden fabric know as kasavu kara. The makeup is simple. The face is treated with yellow and pink colored paste. The eyes are given a lining of black color. The lips are reddened. The hair is tied up and adorned with jasmine flowers. Mohiniattam jewellery is marked by its use of gold or gold plated jewelry. Usually Mohiniyattam jewellery set consists of necklaces, vanki (armband), oddiyanam (waistband), nose stud (Nath Bullaku) and jimikki (swinging ear ornaments). Necklaces are basically of two types: maangamala
and Kaasumala. The mangamala is made by linking together gem studded mango shaped pieces. The kasumala is made by attaching gold coins together.

The pendants for the necklaces are shaped like swans, peacocks and parrots. Similar to mangamala or kasumala, the elakkathali is another famous traditional ornament in the Mohiniyattam Jewellery set. The oddiyanam is also gold plated which may sometimes have the picture of Goddess Lakshmi engraved in it. This particular type of oddiyanam is known as Lakshmi Belt. This plain Lakshmi Belt is very popular and often Bharatanatyam dancers use it as part of Bharatanatyam jewellery.

a traditional dance of Kerala, is known for its grace and beauty. The word mohiniyattam literally means dance of the enchantress. This is exhibited by the costume, which is white in color with a golden colored border. The costume in Mohiniyattam dance comprises of a white kasavu saree, a decorated blouse and a waist garment. The edges are embellished with golden fabric. The makeup is simple. The face is treated with yellow and pink colored paste. The eyes are given a lining of black color. The lips are reddened. The hair is tied up and adorned with jasmine flowers. Mohiniyattam is marked by its use of gold jewelry. The ornament consists of necklaces, vanki (armband), odinayanan (waistband), nose stud and jhumiki (swinging ear ornaments). Necklaces are basically of two type: mangamalai and Kasumalai. The mangamalai is made by linking together gem studded mango shaped pieces. The kasumalai is made by attaching gold coins together. The pendants for the necklaces are shaped like swans, peacocks and parrots.

Mohiniyattam Jewellery
Posted by templejewelry on 21st September 2009

Mohiniyattam is one of the classical dance forms of Kerala. It was mainly performed in the Temples of Kerala. It is also the heir to devadasi dance heritage like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi. There is a story of Lord Vishnu taking on the guise of a mohini to enthrall people, both in connection with the churning of the milk ocean and with the episode of killing Bhasmasura Mohiniyattam is based on the themes of love and devotion and more often the hero is Vishnu or Krishna. The audience can feel His invisible presence when the heroine or her maid details dreams and ambitions through the circular movements, delicate footsteps and subtle expressions. The movements are graceful like Odissi and the costumes sober and attractive. The repertoire of Mohiniattam follows closely that of Bharatanatyam. Beginning with Chollukettu, the dancer performs Jathiswaram, Varnam, Padam and Thillana in a concert. Mohiniyattam like many other forms follows the Hasthalakshana Deepika as a text book of hand gestures. The style of vocal music for Mohiniattam is classical Karnatic.
MUSIC FOR MOHINIYATTAM The vocal music of Mohiniyattam involves variations in rhythmic structure known as chollu. The lyrics are in Manipravalam, a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam. The Mohiniyattam dance is performed to this accompaniment by the subtle gestures and footwork of the danseuse. The performer uses the eyes in a very coy yet sensual manner, the purpose being to enchant the mind without enticing the senses. THE MOHINIYATTAM JEWELRY AND COSTUME The costume in Mohiniyattam dance comprises of a white kasavu saree, a decorated blouse and a waist garment. The edges are embellished with golden fabric know as kasavu kara. The makeup is simple. The face is treated with yellow and pink colored paste. Always Herbal make-up products are recommended. Keral being very famous for ayurvedic herbal products, these are easy to find. The eyes are given a lining of black color. The lips are reddened. The hair is tied up and adorned with Jasmine flowers.

Mohiniyattam jewellery is marked by its use of gold or gold plated jewelry. Usually Mohiniyattam jewellery set consists of necklaces, vanki (armband), oddiyanam (waistband), nose stud (Nath Bullaku) and jimikki (swinging ear ornaments). Necklaces are basically of two types: maangamala and Kaasumala. The mangamala is made by linking together gem studded mango shaped pieces. The kasumala is made by attaching gold coins together. The pendants for the necklaces are shaped like swans, peacocks and parrots. Similar to mangamala or kasumala, the elakkathali is another famous traditional ornament in the Mohiniyattam Jewellery set. The oddiyanam is also gold plated which may sometimes have the picture of Goddess Lakshmi engraved in it. This particular type of oddiyanam is known as Lakshmi Belt. This plain Lakshmi Belt is very popular and often Bharatanatyam dancers use it as part of Bharatanatyam jewellery.